THE FLORIST. 283 



on other occasions. We have so often, in the pages of The Florist, 

 described the soil we prefer, and also the time we mix it, that we 

 shall not repeat the same on the present occasion; and only add, that 

 we would sooner make use of a middling or rather poor soil, in a 

 good dry state, that had been well sweetened, than compost ever so 

 rich, if not well prepared.* In potting, the two essential things to 

 bear in mind are, good drainage and firm potting — that is, to press 

 the soil until it is almost hard about the plants. Those that are 

 potted first should be placed in the most sheltered part of the gar- 

 den: if frame room can be afforded, so much the better; at all events, 

 be prepared to cover them with small handglasses or inverted pots, 

 if severe weather returns. Secure, when potting, such plants as 

 require it with small deal sticks. March winds would injure many 

 of the plants when first exposed. A 1 2-inch pot will be sufficiently 

 roomy to grow three plants of a kind in, where there are plenty and 

 a choice of plants. They also look better with this number ; and 

 with such varieties as will carry two blooms on a stalk, six flowers 

 will make a handsome pot, the more so, of course, if the blooms are 

 grown to a large size. 



[To be concluded in our next Number.] 



DR. HOOKER. 



The many friends of Dr. Joseph Hooker (says the Editor of the 

 Gardeners' Chronicle} will rejoice to know that the last Indian Mail, 

 Oct. 6th, has brought intelligence of his perfect safety amidst the 

 dangers of his adventurous journey. On the 5th of July he was en- 

 camped in a fine country in the Sikkim Himalaya, where the ground 

 was carpeted with splendid plants. The rains were incessant, food 

 scarce, and the Bhoteeas troublesome ; the bridges between his camp 

 and Darjeeling had been swept away by the floods, and communica- 

 tions could only be maintained by a most circuitous route. His 

 collections will prove of the highest interest. Among other things, 

 his Rhododendrons amounted to at least thirty species, many of 

 which are much finer than those already published : no botanist had 

 previously ventured to attempt the examination of the Rhododendron 

 region east of Kamaon, — an operation surrounded with most serious 

 difficulties, for these plants can only be studied during the rains. 

 He had also found a magnificent Rose, with scarlet flowers larger 

 than the palm of a man's hand; and crowds of other remarkable 

 species. 



* The soil which Mr. Turner uses for these flowers is the top spit of a 

 meadow taken off long before it is wanted, and frequently turned, in order to 

 clear it of wireworms : it is by no means heavy soil ; the only addition it receives 

 is about one barrowful of good decayed stable-manure to three of loam. Suffi- 

 cient material for the following year is mixed every August, and, as we have 

 stated, the loam is always in store some time before it is wanted. Rather a 

 plentiful supply of weak liquid manure is given the plants during June, it the 

 weather is hot, with a view to assist them in throwing up their blossom-shoots. 



